Community

In 2017, tutor Chris Martiennson and student Kash Scott were working together. (Photo contributed)

North Okanagan agency celebrates Learning Disabilities month

October is Learning Disabilities month, and local youth and tutors are celebrating their success

In 2017, tutor Chris Martiennson and student Kash Scott were working together. (Photo contributed)
Tanya Roche (right), with her grandmother Helen Kunz, who died in 2019. In honour of her grandma, Roche, a rare O-negative blood type, donates blood every October. (Contributed)

Revelstoke woman makes Okanagan trip to donate blood in honour of grandma

Vernon blood donation marks third time giving rare O-negative blood type

Tanya Roche (right), with her grandmother Helen Kunz, who died in 2019. In honour of her grandma, Roche, a rare O-negative blood type, donates blood every October. (Contributed)
A man sits above a raging Ellis Creek in Penticton in 2019. City council is looking at a restoration plan for the creek that would address its flooding and habitat issues, but with a price of $30 million. (Mark Brett photo - Western News files)

Special meeting called to discuss restoration and salmon numbers at Penticton creek

The Ellis Creek restoration meeting takes place Oct. 22

A man sits above a raging Ellis Creek in Penticton in 2019. City council is looking at a restoration plan for the creek that would address its flooding and habitat issues, but with a price of $30 million. (Mark Brett photo - Western News files)
According to the earliest maps of the Okanagan Valley, the Summerland area was called Nicola Prairie. This name meant the land of Nicola; Grand Chief Nicola. In 1845, Chief Nicola was protected by eighty bodyguards. In 1902, when Summerland was founded, only three Indigenous families remained: the Johnny Pierre, Antoine Pierre and William Manuel families. The children of these three families attended Summerland’s first official school in 1904. This photograph shows William Manuel’s home in the lower left corner. The road, left of the home would become Rosedale Avenue. The home was surrounded by Alf Richardson’s lumber yard. Today, the Manuel house would be located close to the Summerland Animal Clinic. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland was once known as Nicola Prairie

Downtown Summerland was once Penticton Indian Reserve #3

According to the earliest maps of the Okanagan Valley, the Summerland area was called Nicola Prairie. This name meant the land of Nicola; Grand Chief Nicola. In 1845, Chief Nicola was protected by eighty bodyguards. In 1902, when Summerland was founded, only three Indigenous families remained: the Johnny Pierre, Antoine Pierre and William Manuel families. The children of these three families attended Summerland’s first official school in 1904. This photograph shows William Manuel’s home in the lower left corner. The road, left of the home would become Rosedale Avenue. The home was surrounded by Alf Richardson’s lumber yard. Today, the Manuel house would be located close to the Summerland Animal Clinic. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Splatsin elder Annie Cook is one of the last remaining fluent speakers of Secwepemctsin. She has been an educator in the language since the 1990s and, when the community COVID-19 risk is tolerable, she teaches at the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Society daycare. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Residential school survivor devotes decades to preserving Secwepemc language

Splatsin elder one of last fluent speakers in Secwepemctsin; survivor of Cranbrook residential school

Splatsin elder Annie Cook is one of the last remaining fluent speakers of Secwepemctsin. She has been an educator in the language since the 1990s and, when the community COVID-19 risk is tolerable, she teaches at the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Society daycare. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
More people are looking to adopt dogs, and other pets, because of pandemic: SPCA. (File image)

Pandemic sparked puppy boom in B.C., but no spike in pet returns: BC SPCA

More people are looking to adopt pets due to pandemic, SPCA

More people are looking to adopt dogs, and other pets, because of pandemic: SPCA. (File image)
Kate Fagervik, artistic director of the Salmon Arm Pride Project, and organizer Althea Mongerson stand in the Pride Palace across Hudson Avenue from the art gallery on Monday, Oct. 18, the beginning of the Salmon Arm Pride Project Arts & Awareness Festival, continuing to Oct. 24. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Support for Salmon Arm’s Pride Project Festival delights organizers

Events include guided walks, art exhibition, craft sales, digital film festival and more

Kate Fagervik, artistic director of the Salmon Arm Pride Project, and organizer Althea Mongerson stand in the Pride Palace across Hudson Avenue from the art gallery on Monday, Oct. 18, the beginning of the Salmon Arm Pride Project Arts & Awareness Festival, continuing to Oct. 24. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Basic jobs like cleaning out your gutters in the late fall can help avert disaster later in the year, and save money on energy bills. (Contributed photo)

Credit Union staff make a difference throughout Okanagan

Day of Difference sees employees lend a hand where needed

Basic jobs like cleaning out your gutters in the late fall can help avert disaster later in the year, and save money on energy bills. (Contributed photo)
Jordan Abbate (left) was the winner of the largest pumpkin grown for the annual contest during the 21st Harvest Pumpkin Festival in Armstrong Oct. 10-12. Abbate’s winning gourd weighed in at 948 pounds. (Contributed)

Armstrong’s pumpkin festival a smash

Chamber of commerce pleased with how community came together to celebrate return of popular fall festival

Jordan Abbate (left) was the winner of the largest pumpkin grown for the annual contest during the 21st Harvest Pumpkin Festival in Armstrong Oct. 10-12. Abbate’s winning gourd weighed in at 948 pounds. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm Salvation Army Lt. Joel Torrens and Keli Westgate Lekker Land Design have been working together with other community partners, including the Shuswap Food Action Society, on the creation of a food forest on the Salvation Army property at 441 3rd Street SW. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Community food forest taking root at Salmon Arm Salvation Army property

Edible landscape designed to require less maintenance and watering

Salmon Arm Salvation Army Lt. Joel Torrens and Keli Westgate Lekker Land Design have been working together with other community partners, including the Shuswap Food Action Society, on the creation of a food forest on the Salvation Army property at 441 3rd Street SW. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Alden Bigsby created many wooden pieces in his retirement after teaching shop in schools. (Heaton Place photo)

North Okanagan senior carves fond teaching career

At the local pool hall, he was considered a front runner in Snooker 101

Alden Bigsby created many wooden pieces in his retirement after teaching shop in schools. (Heaton Place photo)
Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has again partnered with the Orange Shirt Society for an annual art contest. (Tolko photo)

Vernon company draws up Orange Shirt Day contest

Tolko Industries renews partnership for art contest with Orange Shirt Society

Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has again partnered with the Orange Shirt Society for an annual art contest. (Tolko photo)
Jackie Zawacky, left, Justin Koshman and Sue Rempel hold some of the many pumpkins at The Apple Barn in Summerland. Pumpkin pie is a traditional part of Thanksgiving dinner, and pumpkins carved as Jack O’Lanterns are popular at Halloween. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Pumpkins celebrated at Summerland farm

Billy Boerboom has been growing some massive pumpkins this year

Jackie Zawacky, left, Justin Koshman and Sue Rempel hold some of the many pumpkins at The Apple Barn in Summerland. Pumpkin pie is a traditional part of Thanksgiving dinner, and pumpkins carved as Jack O’Lanterns are popular at Halloween. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Kelowna drag queen Jenna Telz performs during a show at the Friends of Dorothy Lounge on Oct. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Creating Queens: Kelowna’s Indigenous drag queens use their platforms to inspire

Two local drag queens have helped pave the way for nearly 30 drag performers

Kelowna drag queen Jenna Telz performs during a show at the Friends of Dorothy Lounge on Oct. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Former Vancouver Canucks and Vernon Vipers hockey player Aaron Volpatti (left), joins the Golden Burger Challenge in support of the North Okanagan Community Life Society at The Roster. The challenge is underway at 10 local restaurants until Oct. 24. (Roster photo)

Search for best burger in Vernon begins

Golden Burger challenge is also a fundraiser for event organizer North Okanagan Community Life Society

Former Vancouver Canucks and Vernon Vipers hockey player Aaron Volpatti (left), joins the Golden Burger Challenge in support of the North Okanagan Community Life Society at The Roster. The challenge is underway at 10 local restaurants until Oct. 24. (Roster photo)
It’s spa day over at the Peskelly skeleton house in Trout Creek. (Facebook)

Popular Summerland skeleton display welcome baby girl

Dr. Bones delivers skeleton baby on Trout Creek lawn

It’s spa day over at the Peskelly skeleton house in Trout Creek. (Facebook)
The City of Vernon will add an outdoor skating rink to the planning process for the development of the Kin Race Track Lands park. (City of Vernon photo)

Outdoor rinks skates into Vernon’s Kin Race Track plans

Staff recommendation voted on unanimously by council to add outdoor rink to planning process

The City of Vernon will add an outdoor skating rink to the planning process for the development of the Kin Race Track Lands park. (City of Vernon photo)
West Kelowna’s Salvation Army Thrift Store is set to host its grand reopening on Oct. 16. (Kelowna Salvation Army Thrift Store/Facebook)

Westbank Salvation Army Thrift Store hosting reopening event

The store recently received a major facelift

West Kelowna’s Salvation Army Thrift Store is set to host its grand reopening on Oct. 16. (Kelowna Salvation Army Thrift Store/Facebook)
A community group in Westside is organizing a winter clothing drive for people impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire. Donations will be accepted. (Contributed)

Winter clothing drive warms up residents affected by large summer wildfire near Vernon

Those heavily impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire will be able to help themselves to donated winter clothing items

A community group in Westside is organizing a winter clothing drive for people impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire. Donations will be accepted. (Contributed)
The new Lake Country Community Fridge has officially opened at the Winfield United Church on Woodsdale Road. (Facebook photo)

Community fridge opens in Lake Country

Fridge found at Winfield United Church; judgment-free zone

The new Lake Country Community Fridge has officially opened at the Winfield United Church on Woodsdale Road. (Facebook photo)